M3 Bradley

Armored reconnaissance vehicle

The M3 Bradley armored
reconnaissance vehicle externally is similar to the M2

Entered service

1981

Crew

3 men

Personnel

2 scouts

Dimensions and weight

Weight

29.9 t

Length

6.45 m

Width

3.2
m

Height

2.56 m

Armament

Main gun

25-mm chain gun

ATGW

Twin-tube TOW launcher

Machine guns

1 x 7.62-mm

Ammunition load

Main gun

1 500 rounds

ATGW

7 missiles

Machine guns

4 540 rounds

Mobility

Engine

Cummins VTA-903T diesel

Engine power

600 hp

Maximum road speed

66 km/h

Amphibious speed on water

7.2 km/h

Range

480 km

Maneuverability

Gradient

60%

Side slope

30%

Vertical step

0.9 m

Trench

2.5 m

Fording

Amphibious

The M3
armored reconnaissance vehicle is based on the
M2 Bradley infantry
fighting vehicle. It replaced the
M60 main battle tanks and
M113
armored personnel carriers with the US Army cavalry and
reconnaissance battalions. Vehicle is named in honor of WWII general
Omar Bradley. Over 2 000 M3 vehicles were built for the
US Army.

Vehicle's
design is similar to the M2 Bradley IFV except the combat compartment's
arrangement and equipment. Externally it is virtually similar to the
M2. Two scouts are located in the compartment, that was used for
infantrymen in the M2. Scouts operate ground reconnaissance radar
and other equipment. A motorcycle is also carried in this
compartment to fulfill special tasks.

The M3
Bradley cavalry fighting vehicle has a welded aluminum armor hull.
Front arc has a spaced laminated aluminum and steel armor. Initial production variant provided protection against 14.5-mm
armor-piercing rounds. Front arc of the latest models provide
protection against 30-mm armor-piercing rounds. Also vehicle is
fitted with explosive reactive armor and withstands hits from
RPG
rounds. Bottom was reinforced with steel plates for
improved protection against mines. The M3 is also fitted
with NBC protection system.

All
vehicle's armament is located in the turret and consists from M242
25-mm cannon and and coaxial M240 7.62-mm machine gun. A twin-tube
TOW
anti-tank guided missile launcher is located from the left side of
the turret. Decreased number of crew in the combat compartment
allowed to carry more ammunition. Ammunition load virtually doubled,
comparing with the M2 Bradley. There are no firing ports in the M3.

Vehicle was
powered by the Cummins VTA-903T diesel engine, developing 500 hp.
Engine is located at the hull front. It comes out as one assembly,
which makes it easier to maintain and service. The M3 Bradley armored reconnaissance vehicle was improved alongside
with the M2 infantry fighting vehicle.

Variants

M3A1,
featured improved TOW-2 anti-tank guided missiles and new NBC
filtering equipment. A new type of armor-piercing rounds was
introduced for the 25-mm cannon. Combat compartment received four
vision blocks;

M3A2,
received add-on explosive reactive armor panels from the front and
sides of the of hull and turret. Interior was lined with Kevlar
lining. Engine was uprated to 600 hp;

M3A3, has an
improved electronic equipment. It is completed with new fire control
system, with a laser rangefinder, NAVSTAR global positioning system.
Driver received a thermo vision device. The M3A3 received explosive
reactive armor of new generation;

M3A4, future
improvement programme, which is under development. Probably vehicle
will be armed with a 50-mm cannon, engine will be uprated to 750 - 1
000 hp. Protection will be significantly increased.